sport news Formula One chiefs are left sweating over Bernie Ecclestone's plans to attend ... trends now Is it Bull, Bernie? Formula One chiefs are left sweating over Bernie Ecclestone's plans to attend next week's Austrian GP after saying he would 'take a bullet' for Vladimir Putin Bernie Ecclestone announced his intention to attend the Austrian GP next week The 91-year-old had taken a break from attending races as a result of COVID He caused uproar after stating that he would 'take a bullet' for Vladimir Putin By Joe Bernstein For Mail On Sunday Published: 23:43 BST, 2 July 2022 | Updated: 23:44 BST, 2 July 2022 Viewcomments Formula One bosses are sweating over Bernie Ecclestone’s plans to attend the Austrian Grand Prix next weekend. The sport’s former ringmaster told The Mail on Sunday last weekend that he intends to end his Covid-prompted absence from races, starting at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. But 91-year-old Ecclestone has since caused uproar by saying he would ‘take a bullet’ for Russian president Vladimir Putin. 91-year-old Bernie Ecclestone said that he would 'take a bullet' for President Vladimir Putin He also defended triple world champion Nelson Piquet after he used the n-word to describe seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. The Mail on Sunday understands that alarmed F1 bosses are monitoring the situation, wondering whether Ecclestone will actually press ahead with his intention to turn up. The fact that Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, a friend of Ecclestone, owns the track in the Styrian mountains makes it more likely. Formula One Group, who own the sport and control accreditation, declined to comment. Three-time champion Nelson Piquet has been banned for life from attending any F1 event Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility